Here’s a breakdown of our costs, since I have the itemized quote in front of me. We did 12 windows in our house in North Tampa (all were custom-sized replacements, vinyl frames, impact glass with Low-E coating). This was completed last summer. The quote was from a local window company (not a major brand name, just a well-rated local business). Our total was $13,800 and it included basically everything. Here’s the rough breakdown:
Windows (materials) – $9,000 for 12 impact-rated vinyl windows (this is the price of the windows themselves, custom manufactured by PGT to our sizes, including tax on the materials).
Labor/Installation – $3,600 for the crew’s work to remove the old windows and install the new ones, including installing new interior trim where needed.
Permits & Inspection – $400 for pulling the building permit with Hillsborough County and the required inspection after installation.
Old Window Disposal – $300 for removing all the old window units and hauling them away (they said they recycle the aluminum).
Stucco Repair Allowance – $500 set aside for any needed exterior stucco patching or interior touch-ups. In our case, they did use most of this to patch some stucco around a couple of windows where they had to enlarge the opening slightly.
Total: $13,800 for 12 impact windows, which comes out to roughly $1,150 per window on average.
We did get another quote from one of the well-known companies (one of the forum “sponsors” actually – it was Karoly). Karoly’s quote was very close, about $1k higher total. We ended up going with the other guys only because we had a family friend working there who could oversee the project, so we felt comfortable. But honestly the pricing was similar. One thing to note: the timeline from signing the contract to final installation was about 10 weeks. The windows had to be manufactured to order (none of our windows were standard size), and there were some supply chain delays on the impact glass units. So if you’re doing impact windows, don’t expect it to happen within a couple weeks of order – plan for possibly 2-3 months lead time, especially in the busy season. We were told 8-12 weeks and it ended up being right in that range. The wait was a little frustrating, but everything came in and got installed before peak hurricane season, so it worked out.
I’ll add my cost for a larger home project. My house is in Pasco County (Wesley Chapel area) and it’s a two-story, built in the late 90s. We had 20 windows replaced in total. All the new ones are vinyl, double-pane, impact-resistant windows with Low-E glass. Because of the number of windows and the complexity of a two-story install, the price was on the higher side: we paid right around $30,000 for the project. That averages to about $1,500 per window. Our job included a couple of really large specialty windows (an arched transom window in the foyer and a half-circle window above a set of french doors) which were quite expensive on their own, so that drove the average up a bit. Standard size windows were more like1,100−
1,100−
1,200 each, while those big custom shapes were several thousand each.
Having a two-story house did increase the labor costs. One company mentioned they might need a lift for the highest windows. The crew we went with just used scaffolding and ladders, but they did charge a bit extra for the additional effort and safety gear to do the upstairs ones. Our quote included everything (permit, etc.) and the contractor handled all that, including scheduling the county inspection. We passed with no issues, which was a relief. It was a lot of money for sure – I could’ve bought a new car for that price – but now the whole house is updated and storm-ready. We’re in a pretty windy area and I feel a lot safer heading into hurricane season with impact windows throughout. I also expect to get a decent home insurance discount for having all openings protected (waiting on my next renewal to see the exact savings). In our case, we decided the safety and insurance benefits for a big house were worth the $30k investment.
We took a bit of a hybrid approach on our window project to balance cost and safety. Our home is a two-story in Valrico (East Hillsborough), not super close to the coast. We ended up doing a mix of impact and non-impact windows to save money. Specifically, we put impact-resistant windows on the more vulnerable parts of the house (front and side windows, and all first-floor windows) and chose non-impact (standard double-pane) windows for some less critical openings (like small bathroom windows and a couple on the back side of the house). For those non-impact ones, we have metal hurricane panels ready to put up if a storm is coming. In total we replaced 15 windows – 9 of those are impact, 6 are non-impact.
How did the cost work out? The total was about $18,500 for all 15 windows installed. If we had done all 15 as impact, it would have been closer to $25-30k based on the quotes we got. By mixing, we saved several thousand dollars. The impact units averaged about $1,200 each in our quote, and the non-impacts were around $700 each, so it was a big difference. We made sure the non-impact ones still had the same look (frame style and grids) so you can’t tell the difference unless you really inspect the glass for the little “impact” etching. The key thing is, to pass code in Hillsborough with some non-impact windows, we had to show that we have code-approved hurricane shutters for those. The contractor asked to see our existing panels and made sure the mounting hardware was in place, etc., for the inspection. So as @christopherc12 and others have said, you either need impact glass or shutters for every window – we just chose to do a combo.
Honestly, it was a bit of a hassle keeping track of which windows are impact and which we need to shutter, but we have a system now. If a serious hurricane is forecast, I’ll still have to put up 6 panels on those non-impact windows, which is not too bad (all our first-floor ones are impact, so I’m only dealing with some second-floor small ones). This approach isn’t for everyone, but it did make the project more affordable for us. If money were no object, of course I’d prefer all impact for the zero-effort storm prep. Maybe one day I’ll upgrade the remaining ones, but for now I’m comfortable with the mix. Just thought I’d share that as an option for folks feeling torn between safety vs. cost.
I want to share a cautionary tale about going with the lowest bidder, because I learned the hard way. 😖 I live in Pinellas Park in a 1980s block house and had 10 windows replaced two years ago. I was on a tight budget and I got several quotes. One came in dramatically lower than the others – about $5k, when others were $8k and $9k. I went with this super low quote, which was basically a small unlicensed crew (a “friend of a friend” kind of deal). Big mistake. The whole process turned into a headache. They did not pull any permits, which at the time I ignorantly thought might save me some money, but it backfired. The installation itself was sloppy: I later discovered a couple windows weren’t sealed properly and had small leaks when it rained. And because there was no permit and inspection, these issues weren’t caught at the time.
The real trouble came when I went to sell the house (I ended up moving last year). During the buyer’s inspection, it came out that the window work had not been permitted or done to code. The buyer almost walked away. I had to scramble to fix things: I hired a licensed window contractor to come in, pull out two of the worst-installed windows and reinstall them correctly, and properly seal and flash around all the others to meet code. I also had to get an after-the-fact permit from the city, which was an ordeal involving explaining myself to the building department and paying a hefty fee. When all was said and done, my “cheap” window job cost me more than double what the highest legit quote would have been, once I paid for repairs, re-inspections, and fines. 😫
Lesson learned: do not go with an unlicensed or suspiciously cheap contractor. If a quote is way under the others, ask why. In my case, they cut costs by skimping on proper installation (and likely using cheaper materials). I was left with leaky windows and a legal mess. I wish I had chosen a reputable company from the start. It would have saved me a ton of stress and money in the long run.
@tylerclark995 Oh wow, I’m so sorry you went through that. Thank you for sharing it though – it’s an important warning. I nearly fell for a super low quote myself when I was window-shopping (pun intended 😅). A small outfit quoted me something like 30% less than anyone else, and I was tempted, believe me. But then I read some online reviews and BBB complaints that indicated they cut corners, and I got cold feet. In the end I went with a middle-of-the-road priced contractor who was properly licensed and had great references. I paid more upfront, but hearing your story makes me glad I did. My neighbor also went with a “too good to be true” bargain installer a while back and had a similar nightmare: failed inspections, endless delays, and finally he had to pay another company to finish the job.
For anyone reading: cheaper isn’t always better – in fact, it usually isn’t when it comes to contractors. Windows are a big deal for your home’s safety and comfort. It’s worth paying for a company that will do it right, handle the permits, and stand behind their work. The middle quote or a well-reviewed company might save you a lot of grief compared to the rock-bottom quote. I know it’s tempting to save a few thousand, but you might end up paying those savings (and then some) to fix issues later. @tylerclark995’s story is a perfect example of that. Glad you got it resolved in the end, @tylerclark995, and thanks again for the heads-up to the rest of us.
I have a unique situation to share – our home is a designated historic property, so window replacement was a whole different animal. We live in a 1926 bungalow in the Seminole Heights historic district of Tampa. The old wood windows were beautiful but in terrible shape (and not functional or efficient). However, because of historic preservation rules, we couldn’t just slap in white vinyl windows like most people do. We had to get approval from the historic review board and use windows that match the original appearance. In our case, that meant wood-framed windows with the same grille pattern, etc. We ended up finding a supplier that makes custom wood impact-rated windows that look almost exactly like the originals (wood inside and out, with historic-style muntins). They were insanely expensive: we paid about $40,000 for 10 windows. 😵 That comes to $4k per window, which is probably not relevant to most folks unless you’re in a similar historic situation. But we really had no choice if we wanted to replace them – the historical committee wasn’t going to allow vinyl or aluminum that altered the look of the home’s facade.
The process took a long time too. We had to submit plans and get a certificate of appropriateness from the city before ordering. The windows themselves took 4 months to be built (they were truly custom made, with impact glass and wood frames). The install team did a nice job and even preserved my interior trim. They also had to follow lead-safe work practices because our house is so old (lots of layers of old paint). The cost included all those extra steps, plus high-end hardware to mimic the old style. On the bright side, the windows are gorgeous and you wouldn’t know they’re new or impact-rated – they look like they’ve always been part of the house, just without the drafts and rattling. We did get a small break on property taxes for doing an approved historic rehabilitation, and our homeowner’s insurance gave us the wind mitigation credit for having impact windows, which helps a tiny bit. But yeah, this was definitely a case of a specialty scenario with a premium cost. Unless someone is in a historic district, you won’t be looking at these numbers. If you are, be prepared both for sticker shock and a lot of paperwork. In retrospect, I love the result (and it adds to our home’s value in a historic neighborhood), but I can’t exactly say “it was worth $40k” without cringing a little. We’re just consoling ourselves that we did it “the right way” and these windows should last for many decades to come.
One thing I haven’t seen mentioned much yet is the effect on homeowners insurance. After I installed impact windows and doors on my house in Carrollwood, my insurance agent told me to get a wind mitigation inspection done. With proof that all my openings are impact-rated, I qualified for a discount on my windstorm insurance premium. It’s not gigantic, but it’s something: I got roughly $250/year off my insurance. Over time, that helps offset the cost of the windows. If you’re replacing a whole home’s windows with impact glass, be sure to have your insurance company or inspector update your file. They usually have a form (the wind mit form) that notes your opening protection level. In Florida, if you have all openings protected (either impact windows/doors or shutters for everything), you typically get a credit. Like I said, mine was a few hundred bucks a year – it varies depending on your insurer and home. Also, I’ll add that beyond the dollars, I just feel safer with impact windows. This last storm season, when we had some hurricane near-misses, I didn’t have that familiar anxiety about “oh gosh, do I need to board up the windows?” The peace of mind is hard to put a price on. Knowing that the glass can take a hit from debris without shattering into the house helps me sleep better when the winds pick up. So from an insurance and safety perspective, impact windows have benefits that go beyond just market value or aesthetics.
If you’re upgrading for hurricane protection, definitely look into the My Safe Florida Home program. I took advantage of it and it saved me a lot. Basically, the state of Florida is offering matching grants for home hurricane hardening. I applied and got approved for the maximum $10,000 grant, which is a 2-to-1 match. In my case, I spent about $20k on windows and doors and the state reimbursed me $10k of that. 😁 Not everyone will qualify – you have to meet certain criteria (homestead property, insured value under a certain amount, etc.) and you have to get a free wind mitigation inspection through the program first. But it’s absolutely worth checking. The process took some time (there’s paperwork, and you have to use an approved contractor list, etc.), but essentially I got my entire house of impact windows for half the normal cost thanks to this grant.
A few notes if you go this route: You’ll need to pay upfront for the work and then the state reimburses, so you still need to have or finance the money initially. The contractor must be participating in the program (many in Tampa Bay are). And the upgrades have to be recommended by that initial wind mitigation inspection. In my case, the inspector’s report said “opening protection needed,” which justified getting the windows. After installation, they came back out to verify the work, and then I got the grant money. It did make the project longer (from starting the application to getting reimbursed took a few months), but saving $10k was well worth a bit of bureaucracy. Also, as @cars575 mentioned, my insurance premium dropped after I got the new windows and updated my wind mitigation report. So it was a double win: grant money + ongoing insurance savings. I highly encourage fellow Florida homeowners to see if My Safe Florida Home is still funded and open for applications if you’re doing a full window replacement for storm-proofing. It can make a huge difference in your net cost.
I want to echo the energy efficiency benefits of new windows, which sometimes get overlooked when we’re all thinking about hurricanes and costs. After we replaced all the windows in our 1980s home in Largo, the difference in our electric bill was noticeable. We went from old single-pane aluminum windows to new double-pane vinyl (with Low-E coating). The next summer, we consistently saw about a 15-20% drop in our electricity usage because the A/C wasn’t running as much. The house just doesn’t heat up as badly during the day now – you can put your hand by the window at noon and not feel that searing heat that used to come through the old glass. Over the long run, those energy savings add up (maybe not enough to fully recoup the window cost, but it’s a nice bonus).
Also, a small financial perk: I was able to claim a $600 federal tax credit for Energy Star windows on my taxes for that year. It’s not a tax deduction but a credit, meaning it directly knocked $600 off what I owed the IRS. There’s a cap (I think $600 is the max for windows in a year), and you need to have the manufacturer certification that your windows are Energy Star qualified (the window company provided us with that paperwork). It’s nothing huge in the grand scheme, but hey, $600 basically paid for the permit and some of the stucco work. Between the energy savings, the tax credit, and the small insurance discount we got for impact windows, we are recouping some of the cost little by little. And non-monetary but important: the comfort in our home is so much better now. No more draftiness, and even noise from outside is reduced. It’s like the house got a serious upgrade in quality of life. So when budgeting, consider those “soft” returns on investment too.
This thread is incredibly helpful! I haven’t pulled the trigger yet, but I’m in the quoting stage and have one more aspect I’m curious about: How did you all finance your window projects? Did most of you pay cash out of pocket, or use some kind of financing/loan? For a lot of these projects we’re talking $10k, $20k, $30k+. I might need to finance about $20k of my project if I go with impact windows for the whole house. The companies I’ve gotten quotes from are offering financing deals (one has 12 months same-as-cash, another offered a 5-year loan at around 6% APR through a partner bank). I’ve also heard about something called PACE financing (Property Assessed Clean Energy) where the payments go on your property tax bill. I’m a bit wary of that because I don’t understand it fully, and I’ve heard mixed things.
Alternatively, I could look into a home equity loan or a line of credit from my credit union. I’m in Pasco County and I’m not sure if PACE is even available here (I know Hillsborough and Pinellas allow it, not positive about Pasco). Does anyone have recommendations on the best way to finance a big window job? I want to make the upgrade, but writing a check for
20−
20−
30k isn’t an option for me without some kind of payment plan. Any tips on what worked for you or what to be careful of when financing would be greatly appreciated!